Varaha Purana 201.36 — Adhyaya 201, Shloka 36

The Battle between the Rākṣasas and Yama’s Attendant-Messengers

Devanagari script

शूलपाणिं विरूपाक्षं सर्वप्राणिप्रणाशनम् ॥ मन्देहा नाम नाम्ना वै राक्षसाः पिशिताशनाः ॥

Transliteration

śūlapāṇiṃ virūpākṣaṃ sarvaprāṇipraṇāśanam || mandehā nāma nāmnā vai rākṣasāḥ piśitāśanāḥ ||

Translation

—(Ils décrivirent) le porteur du trident, celui aux yeux difformes, le destructeur de tous les êtres vivants; et ils mentionnèrent les Rākṣasas mangeurs de chair, véritablement connus sous le nom de «Mandehas».

Word by Word

• शूलपाणिम्: the one with a trident in hand
• शूलपाणिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative: 'शूलस्य पाणिः'), पुंलिङ्गे (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• विरूपाक्षम्: the odd-eyed one (Virūpākṣa)
• विरूपाक्षम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरूप + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समासः (possessive: 'विरूपे अक्षिणी यस्य'), पुंलिङ्गे (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• सर्वप्राणिप्रणाशनम्: destroyer of all beings
• सर्वप्राणिप्रणाशनम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + प्राणि + प्रणाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative: 'सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रणाशनम्'), नपुंसकलिङ्गे (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• मन्देहाः: the Mandehas
• मन्देहाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• नाम: named
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/apposition marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: नामनिर्देशार्थक-अव्ययम् (indeclinable indicating appellation: 'by name')

• नाम्ना: by name
• नाम्ना: Karana (करण/means: 'by the name')
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

• राक्षसाः: demons
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• पिशिताशनाः: flesh-eaters
• पिशिताशनाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिशित + अशन्/आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative: 'पिशितस्य आशनाः'), पुंलिङ्गे (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

Speaker

Narrator (default framework: Varāha-to-Pṛthivī context, not explicit here)

Varaha Avatara Context

Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":false,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}

Bhu Devi Dialogue

Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"None","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}

Mathura Mandala

Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}

Dharma Shastra

Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":false,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"None","karmic_consequence":"None"}

Vrata Mahatmya

Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}

Cosmic Boar Symbolism

Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":false,"symbolic_interpretation":"None","yajna_varaha_imagery":"None","vedantic_connection":"None"}

Philosophical Teaching

Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"mythic-ethical discernment","core_concept":"Adharma is typified by prāṇi-hiṃsā (destroying life) and piśitāśanatā (cannibalistic predation), marking beings as fit for restraint/punishment.","practical_application":"Cultivate ahiṃsā and avoid association with violent, predatory conduct; recognize narrative ‘epithets’ as moral diagnostics."}

Subject Matter

Subject Matter: ["Mythic beings (Rākṣasas)","Epithets and characterization","Threat description"]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: mythic battlefield/region (unspecified)

Cross References

Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 201.41-44 (escalation: appeal → mobilization → punitive order)

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dark, foreboding tableau introducing rākṣasas: grotesque figures labeled ‘Mandehas,’ alongside a terrifying trident-bearing, distorted-eyed destroyer-figure as an epithetic portrait of menace.","item_prompts":["rākṣasas with feral features","blood-red/soot-black palette","trident (śūla)","asymmetrical or ‘misshapen’ eyes (virūpākṣa)","bones/meat imagery indicating piśitāśana","stormy sky or cremation-ground ambience"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat saturated reds/blacks, stylized fierce faces; emphasize śūla and virūpākṣa eyes; rākṣasas in regimented grouping with ornamental yet ominous detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central fierce epithet-figure with śūla, heavy gold ornamentation contrasted with dark rākṣasa attendants; embossed halos subdued to keep a threatening mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: refined linework and shading; depict rākṣasas with controlled ferocity, detailed weapons and jewelry; chiaroscuro to convey dread.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari style: mountainous night backdrop, expressive faces, narrative grouping of demons; minimal weapons but strong gesture-language and piercing eyes."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ominous, cautionary","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"grave, weighty, slightly intensified on epithets (śūlapāṇim, virūpākṣam, sarvaprāṇipraṇāśanam)."}

Tags

• Purāṇic Literature
• Mythology
• Sanskrit Epithets
• Narrative Genealogies

FAQs

What is the historical significance of this verse?

The verse preserves named demon-groups (e.g., Mandehas) and a stock repertoire of epithets, useful for comparative study across Purāṇas and epic literature.

Which geographic location is identified?

No geographic location is specified in this verse fragment.

What is the primary ethical instruction?

The verse functions descriptively, framing a threat; ethical instruction is indirect, supporting a broader narrative about protection and order.